The Porsche Electric Legacy: From the P1 to Formula E
EV Magazine recently explored the innovative partnership between the Porsche TAG Heuer Formula E Team and Cato Networks, uncovering the deep technological collaboration driving Porsche's dominance in the all-electric racing world.
During our visit to the Porsche Museum, we witnessed a powerful reminder of Porsche's electric legacy, beginning with the Egger-Lohner C.2 Phaeton, or "P1."
The P1: A pioneer in electric mobility
The P1, built in 1898, was a groundbreaking achievement that marked the dawn of electric automotive engineering. Its innovative features laid the foundation for modern electric vehicles:
- Design: A battery-powered, front-wheel-drive automobile.
- Motor: Produced 3 bhp (2.2 kW) normally, with a peak of 5 bhp (3.7 kW) in "overclocking" mode.
- Performance: The top speed is 34 km/h (21 mph), an impressive range of 80 km (50 miles) range, and regenerative braking technology.
- Control System: The system was advanced for its time, enabling torque and speed adjustments and featuring an early form of energy recovery.
The vehicle, weighing 1,350 kg, including 500 kilograms of batteries, was the precursor to today's high-performance electric cars.
The Porsche 99X Electric Gen3 Evo: Formula E excellence
Fast forward to the cutting-edge Porsche 99X Electric Gen3 Evo, a vehicle that epitomises Porsche's relentless pursuit of performance and sustainability in motorsport.
Key Specifications:
- Performance:
- Maximum power: 350 kW (470 bhp) in qualifying and Attack Mode.
- Top speed: Over 320 km/h (200 mph).
- Acceleration: 0-100 km/h in approximately 2.8 seconds.
- Powertrain:
- Dual powertrains with 600 kW of maximum regeneration.
- Over 40% of race energy is produced via regenerative braking.
- Efficiency:
- 95% power efficiency compared to just 40% in internal combustion engines.
The vehicle is lighter, faster, and more energy-efficient than its predecessors. It sets new standards in Formula E with advanced technology like an all-wheel-drive system and in-house-developed vehicle software.
Cato Networks: The backbone of Porsche's Formula E success
The partnership between Cato Networks and the Porsche TAG Heuer Formula E Team, established in November 2022, goes beyond traditional sponsorship. It provides cutting-edge Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solutions critical to the team's on-track and off-track performance.
Connectivity and real-time data transmission
Cato Networks ensures seamless and secure communication between racetracks, cloud applications, and Porsche Motorsport headquarters in Weissach. During races, vital data is transmitted through Cato's optimised global private backbone for real-time analysis.
- Performance Metrics:
- Over 1.2 TB of data was transferred in the first week of use.
- 1.45 TB of data was transmitted alone during the Cape Town race.
- Rapid Deployment: The ability to set up a site within five hours ensures the team can adapt to Formula E's fast-paced nature.
Dave Greenfield, Director of Technology Evangelism at Cato Networks, stated, "During races, our secure, high-performing connectivity enables superior decision-making and on-track performance."
Driving innovation and sustainability
The collaboration aligns with Formula E's mission to push technological boundaries while promoting sustainability. Cato Networks is the simplest in the deployment and administration of the infrastructure.
When the team travels across different sites, it is essential to know the level or nature of the technological infrastructure that awaits them at each location.
"We are very well prepared and confident that as soon as the engineers arrive, the services are ready to run. Cato Networks helps us maintain our competitive edge in this fast-evolving category."
The legacy and future of electric excellence
From the historic P1 to the revolutionary 99X Electric Gen3 Evo, Porsche continues to lead the charge in electric mobility.
Its partnership with Cato Networks exemplifies how cutting-edge technology can drive performance, sustainability, and innovation, solidifying Porsche's dominance in Formula E and beyond.
The seamless blend of history, technology, and sustainability highlights Porsche's commitment to shaping the future of electric mobility, both on and off the racetrack.
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